Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a programme has been agreed to ensure the accommodation of patients in psychiatric hospitals currently under review for closure. [4205/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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'A Vision for Change' the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy recommended that a plan to bring about the closure of all psychiatric hospitals should be drawn up and implemented, and that the resources released by these closures should be re-invested in the new mental health service infrastructure requirement. The Government has accepted the Report as the basis for the future development of our mental health services.

The HSE has developed a strategy for the phased closure of the remaining hospitals and the relocation of patients to more appropriate community based accommodation, in line with the recommendations in 'A Vision for Change'.